By PATRICK WALSH
The 2023 NYS Far West Regional features one Section V squad that is looking to make its second straight state semifinal appearance while another is looking to make its first semifinal berth since 2006. A third squad is looking to win the state title for the first time since 2004 while one team is looking to continue a perfect regional record. Another is looking for its first state semifinal berth in program history. Action takes place on Saturday. Here’s the breakdown of each contest:
CLASS AA
FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (17-6/Monroe County I)
vs.
LANCASTER LEGENDS (16-6/ECIC I)
11 AM, Grand Island HS
How they arrived here: Fairport downed Edison (15-4), Penfield (5-3) and Victor (5-3) to win the Class AA sectional title. Lancaster defeated Jamestown (14-0), Niagara Falls (4-3) and Williamsville North (8-0) to win the Section VI championship.
Tempo and Trends: Fairport averages 6.78 runs per game while allowing 3.65. The Red Raiders enter having won four straight and seven of their last eight. Lancaster scores 6.45 runs per contest and allows 3.27. The Legends have won four straight.
What’s at Stake: A spot in the NYS Class AA semifinal against either Elmira (IV) or R.C. Ketcham (I).
History 101: Fairport is coming off its first sectional championship since 2013. The Red Raiders last reached the state semifinals in 2006, falling to Section II champion Colonie. Lancaster enters the Far West Regional having won its sixth Section VI championship in 11 years. During that span, the Legends have not advanced past the regional and are looking to snap that streak.
Players to watch for Fairport: Sam Miller Jr. OF/P (.493 BA, 28 RBI, 23 RS, 3 HR) (1.18 ERA, 42 K); Owen Andreatta So. OF (.391 BA, 11 RBI, 9 RS, 1 HR); Nathan Mathis Sr. P (0.91 ERA, 18 K); Stephen Rizzolo Sr. C (.279 BA, 10 RBI, 22 RS); Antonio Jorge Sr. OF/P (2.36 ERA, 24 K); Will Stanek Jr. 3B/P (.284 BA, 9 RBI, 17 RS) (3.00 ERA, 32 K); Jackson Rucker Jr. SS (.255 BA, 14 RBI, 15 RS, 1 HR)
Lancaster: Konnor Hauck Sr. OF/C (.343 BA, 10 RBI, 17 RS); Tyler Reese Sr. OF (.431 BA, 10 RBI, 14 RS); Calvin Kaminski Sr. UTIL (.373 BA, 14 RBI, 13 RS); Max Stoldt Sr. P (2.04 ERA, 35 K, .202 BAA); Jack Harrington Sr. P (3.54 ERA, 47 K, .203 BAA); Mike Schaefer Jr. SS (.383 BA, 17 RBI, 18 RS, 1 HR); Jimmy Buettner Jr. C/1B (.319 BA, 9 RBI, 11 RS)
Coaches: Kieran Murphy (Fairport), Mark Dalfonso (Lancaster)
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JENNIFER LAEMLEIN.
CLASS A
WILLIAMSVILLE EAST FLAMES (18-6/ECIC II)
vs.
HONEOYE FALLS-LIMA COUGARS (15-9/Monroe County IV)
10 AM, Dwyer Stadium
How they arrived here: Williamsville East dropped Sweet Home (14-3), North Tonawanda (4-3) and Hamburg (10-3) to clinch the Class A1 Section VI trophy. The Flames then defeated Amherst (10-2) to advance to the regional. Honeoye Falls-Lima defeated SOTA (19-1), Pittsford Mendon (5-4) and Pittsford Sutherland (11-2) to win the A2 title, then defeated Greece Athena 6-4 to reach the regional.
Tempo and Trends: Williamsville East scores 6.75 times per game and allows 3.21 runs. The Flames have won five straight entering Saturday. Honeoye Falls-Lima averages 5.08 runs per game and allows 3.13. The Cougars have won six straight.
What’s at Stake: Winner advances to the Class A NYS semifinal against either Walter Panas (I) or Wallkill (IX).
History 101: Williamsville East is making its first regional appearance since 2016. The Flames defeated Aquinas (6-5) en route to a state final appearance and have reached the state championship the previous two times they captured the regional championship. Honeoye Falls-Lima is looking to advance to the state final four for the first time in program history. The Cougars have captured the Section V title three times (2012, 2015 and 2023).
Players to watch for Williamsville East: Cooper Rossano Sr. SS (.492 BA, 17 RBI, 21 RS, 3 HR); Ryan Fryling Sr. 1B/OF (.404 BA, 28 RBI, 20 RS, 6 HR); Carmen Panero Jr. P/OF (.320 BA, 6 RBI, 31 RS, 2 HR) (1.62 ERA, 6-0, 43 K, .171 BAA); Brian Smith Jr. P (2.16 ERA, 52 K, .105 BAA); Jack Reimann Jr. 1B (.355 BA, 20 RBI, 23 RS, 4 HR); Sean Sansone (.333 BA, 25 RBI, 7 RS, 1 HR)
Honeoye Falls-Lima: Carson Joint Sr. C (.414 AVG, 24 H, 10 RBI, 4 2B); Aidan Neenan Jr. SS (.354 AVG, 23 H, 14 RBI, 7 2B); Landon Hammond Jr. 2B/3B (.353 AVG, 24 H, 8 RBI, 3 2B, 7/7 SB); Nate Weber Sr. P/3B (4-4, 54.2 IP, 43 K 2.69 ERA, .316 AVG, 19 H, 7 RBI); Matt Meacham Jr. OF (.323 AVG, 20 H, 6 RBI, 4 2B); Trent Wager Sr. (5-4, 56.2 IP, 52 K, 2.35 ERA)
Coaches: Chris Guarin (Williamsville East), Dan Hoyt (Honeoye Falls-Lima)
CLASS B
PALMYRA-MACEDON RED RAIDERS (21-2/Finger Lakes East)
vs.
DEPEW WILDCATS (23-2/ECIC III)
2 PM, Grand Island HS
How they arrived here: Palmyra-Macedon defeated Bishop Kearney (13-0), Livonia (5-4) and Hornell (6-5) to capture the Class B1 Sectional title. The Red Raiders then defeated Penn Yan (5-3) to advance to the Far West Regional. Depew downed East Aurora (7-2) in the quarterfinals, Dunkirk (2-0) in the semifinals and Iroquois (3-1) to hoist the Section VI class B1 trophy. The Wildcats beat Royalton-Hartland (10-0), clinching a spot in the regional.
Tempo and Trends: Palmyra-Macedon scores 6.91 runs per game and allows 2.65. The Red Raiders enter on an 18-game win streak. Depew averages 7.84 runs per game while allowing 1.52. The Wildcats have won 17 straight.
What’s at Stake: Winner advances to the NYS Class B semifinal to play either Plattsburgh (VII) or the Salmon River (X)/Ichabod Crane (II) winner.
History 101: Palmyra-Macedon is looking to make its second straight state semifinal berth. The Red Raiders made their first regional appearance in program history last season, defeating Medina (VI) 11-1. Depew is looking for its first state tournament berth in program history. The Wildcats fell in the Far West Regional qualifier last year to Medina 4-1.
Players to watch for Palmyra-Macedon: Noah Brooks Sr. C (.422 AVG, 27 H, 2 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 18RBI, 31R, 12BB, 24 SB); Caleb Carr Jr. IF,OF (.300 AVG, 15H, 1 2B, 16 RBI, 14 R); Ian Goodness Sr. P, IF (.407 AVG, 24 H, 9 2B, 1 3B, 12 RBI, 24 R, 12 BB/ 56 IP, 7-0, 24 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 7 BB, 116 K, .750 ERA, .126 BAA); Tino LoPresto So. P/IF/OF (.303 AVG, 10 H, 2 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 6R); Christian Morrison Sr. P/IF (.333 AVG, 19 H, 2 2B, 1 3B,12 RBI, 24 R, 16 BB); Brennan Pipitone Jr. P/IF (.250 AVG, 14H, 2 2B, 14 RBI, 13 R, 12 BB); Isiah Stephens Jr. IF/OF (.255 AVG, 14H, 4 2B, 15 RBI, 11R); Tyler Wolcott Sr. P (36 IP, 5-0, 19H, 8 R, 2 ER, 14 BB, 31K, .389 ERA, .143 BAA.
Depew: Anthony Weber Jr. (.427 BA, 30 RBI, 17 RS); Josh Toolen Sr. SS/P (.386 BA, 21 RBI, 36 RS, 1 HR) (1.12 ERA, 7-0, 61 K, .168 BAA); Eric Woodley Sr. CF/P (.371 BA, 23 RBI, 24 RS, 3HR) (0.64 ERA, 7-0, 82 K, .118 BAA); Tyler Pagano Jr. 2B/OF (.278 BA, 15 RBI, 24 RS); Christopher Kanick Jr. SS/2B/P (.274 BA, 19 RBI, 15 RS) (1.68 ERA, 52 K, .205 BAA)
Coaches: Bryan Rodman (Palmyra-Macedon), Dennis Crawley (Depew)
CLASS C
NOTRE DAME-BATAVIA FIGHTING IRISH (22-1/Genesee County)
vs.
GOWANDA PANTHERS (19-2/Chautauqua Catteraugus II)
11 AM, Frontier HS
How they arrived here: Notre Dame-Batavia won its first round match-up against No. 17 seeded Eugenia Maria de Hostos, then beat No. 9 seed Byron-Bergen 12-0 in the quarterfinals. The Fighting Irish then topped fifth-seed Campbell-Savona, 6-3 to clinch a spot in the Class C2 championship, where they won 3-0 over No. 3 seed Bolivar-Richburg and downed C1 champion, Sodus 17-4. Gowanda defeated Chautauqua Lake (10-0), Clymer Central/Sherman/Panama (12-6) and Portville (7-2) to reach the regional.
Tempo and Trends: Notre Dame-Batavia scores 11 runs per game and allows 1.09. The Fighting Irish are on a five-game win streak. Gowanda crosses home 11.9 times and allows opponents to cross 3.81 times. Gowanda enters the regional having won five straight and 19 of its last 20.
What’s at Stake: A spot in the Class C NYS semifinal to face either Chatham (II) or Ticonderoga (VII).
History 101: Notre Dame-Batavia is making its first regional appearance since 2014 and third in 15 years. The Fighting Irish have a record of 2-0 in the previous two appearances and have had their season end in the state semifinals both times. Gowanda is in the Far West Regional for the first time since 2008. The Panthers fell to the eventual state champion, Somers JFK in the state semifinal. Gowanda has captured the Section VI title for the second time in three seasons (2021 state tournament was not played).
Players to watch for Notre Dame-Batavia: Bryceton Berry Sr. P/SS (.433 BA, 25 RBI, 25 RS) ( 0.54 ERA, 74 K, .119 BAA), Ryan Fitzpatrick Jr. P/SS (.259 BA, 15 RBI, 18 RS) (0.79 ERA, 55 K, .123 BAA,) Jaden Sherwood Jr. (.302 BA, 15 RBI, 1 HR) (4-0, 0.77 ERA) , Jay Antinore Jr. (.420 BA, 15 RBI 7 2B) (3-0, 0.00 ERA), Chase Antinore (.356 BA, 13 RBI, 15 RS)
Gowanda: Andrew Pachucinski Sr. P/OF (.444 BA, 29 RBI, 35 RS) (2.52 ERA, 6-0, 34 K, .182 BAA); John Ondus Sr. OF (.554 BA, 38 RBI, 42 RS, 4 HR); Cole Herman Sr. P/OF (.345 BA, 26 RBI, 17 RS) (3.75 ERA, 6-0, 50 K, .287 BAA); Tyler Smith Sr. IF (.524 BA, 29 RBI, 28 RS); Blake Herman So. C (.443 BA, 18 RBI, 43 RS, 2 HR)
Coaches: Rick Rapone (Notre Dame-Batavia), Tim Smith (Gowanda)
CLASS D
NORTH COLLINS EAGLES (13-6/Chautauqua Catteraugus III)
vs.
NORTHSTAR CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS (12-4/Private Parochial)
1 PM, Dwyer Stadium
How they arrived here: North Collins defeated No. 3 Westfield (9-6) and No. 5 Ellicottville (11-1) to win the Class D Section VI championship. Northstar Christian defeated No. 9 Hammondsport with a 31-1 rout in the quarterfinals, before defeating No. 5 Elba, 5-2 in the semifinals. The Knights claimed the Class D2 title with a 21-3 route over Charles G. Finney and defeated D1 champion, Avoca-Prattsburgh (11-6) to reach the regional.
Tempo and Trends: North Collins averages 7.47 runs per game and allows 5.05. The Eagles have won three straight and five of six. Northstar Christian scores 12.5 runs per game and allows 3.44. The Knights enter having won eight straight.
What’s at Stake: A spot in the NYS Class D semifinal against either Parishville-Hopkinton (X) or Hartford Central (II).
History 101: North Collins enters the Far West Regional for the fifth time in program history. The Eagles have a 1-3 record in the previous four appearances with the win coming in 2017, a year that ended in the state final with a 5-4 loss to Fort Ann (II). Northstar Christian is looking for its first state semifinal appearance since 2004, a year they won the NYSPHSAA Class D championship.
Players to watch for North Collins: Derek Ebersole (.413 BA, 13 RBI, 24 RS, 1 HR) (1.36 ERA, 7-1, 94 K, .154 BAA); Matthew Warsaw (.308 BA, 5 RBI, 21 RS, 1 HR) (2.68 ERA, 4-2, 51 K, .217 BAA); Austin Kehr (.283 BA, 13 RBI, 12 RS); Asher Parnitzke (.256 BA, 7 RBI, 14 RS)
Northstar Christian: Matt Allen So. P/SS (.443 AVG, 2 2B, 25 RBI, 23 R); Dominic Kurmis Sr. P/C (6-1, .027 ERA, 48 SO, .456 AVG, 8 2B, 6 3B, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 36 R, 15 SB); Tim Leary Jr. P (3-0, 1.71 ERA, 33 SO); AJ Mitchell Sr. 1B (.460 AVG, 7 2B, 1 3B, 26 RBI, 31 R); Andrew Mitchell So. (.387 AVG, 16 RBI, 30 R); Micah Schwaderer Sr. P/OF (3-0, 1.03 ERA, 35 SO); Parker Seeley Jr. 2B (.455 AVG, 2 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 35 R); Da’Vonn Stevens So. CF (.364 AVG, 3 2B, 33 R, 20 SB).
Coaches: Scott Gill (North Collins), Dave Valle (Northstar Christian)
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